Social care white paper: reactions from the sector

Andrew Lansley has unveiled the government’s white paper on adult social care. Here are some thoughts on its contents from professionals and organisations in the sector

Delayed funding decision

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society: “Millions of vulnerable people had been promised radical reform but today they are being massively let down. Every day without a funding decision is another day where people, including those with dementia, face huge costs for often substandard care. This white paper is not worth the paper it’s written on.”

Gary Bailey, president of the International Federation of Social Workers: “This government has the responsibility to provide the funding now.”

Voluntary opt in scheme

Sir Merrick Cockell is chairman of the Local Government Association: “The introduction of a cap on the maximum amount an individual would pay for their care will provide some peace of mind for our rapidly aging population, but for such a system to work it has to be universal. We do not think that the government’s suggestion to consider voluntary opting in or out of such a scheme is workable or provides people with clarity.”

Care home fees

Stephen Burke, director at United All Ages: “The proposed loans – or deferred payments – should already be available to older people from their local authority. But loans won’t stop families having to sell their home to pay for care, they will simply delay the sale. When £500m can be found seemingly at the drop of a hat to defer fuel duty payments, why can’t urgently needed funding be found for the care of older people? Subsidising car owners over supporting the most vulnerable people is an indictment of our society.”

Personalisation

Bernard Walker, chair of The College of Social Work adults faculty: “This white paper clearly acknowledges the importance of social work as new ways of delivering personalised services continue to emerge in adult social care. If the ‘one size fits all’ approach in social care is to be ended and adults who need support are to be helped to flourish in their own communities, social workers will have a vital role in making it happen.”

Rashmi Becker, executive director of Dimensions UK: “The stated aim to offer more equal access to council care for elderly and disabled people is welcome but more needs to be done to give people real choice and control over their support in a fair and consistent way. The option for personal budgets already exists but implementation is mixed around the country, resulting in a postcode lottery for some of society’s most vulnerable people. If we want a social care system that meets expected standards and that is fit for the future, this needs to change.”

Housing

Nick Sanderson, CEO of Audley Retirement Villages: “We have to champion the alternative and sustainable models for living that will better meet the needs and aspirations of those in later life. Extra care housing could provide independent living and flexible care as needed, and in private homes. The opportunity exists for us to take the fear out of retirement, to introduce choice, promote independence and help older people stay in control of their lives and finances now and into the future.”

Support for carers

Ermintrude, blogger and frontline social worker: “There are enormous complexities in the systems that we are often not very good at explaining to people who are unfamiliar with the jargon. While ‘powers’ to provide support are all well and good, ‘duties’ are better and can be challenged.”

Heléna Herklots, chief executive of Carers UK: “To make the rights in the new draft care and support bill a reality, what carers also need is a social care system with the resources to overcome years of chronic underfunding and rapidly growing demand. Those who face soaring care bills, service cuts and a daily struggle to access even basic support from the social care system, may see new rights in legislation as empty promises without the funding to back them up. “

Impact on frontline social work

Hilton Dawson, chief executive of the British Association of Social Workers: “Sustained investment now will produce savings. Bad services are expensive as well as immoral. BASW will take an active campaigning role in this critical debate. We advocate on behalf of our members in the hope that, along with the views of service users, carers, service providers, employers and others, we can positively influence government policy in this vital area.”

Legislation

Richard Humphries, senior fellow at The King’s Fund: “It is critical that the momentum for change over the past 13 years – two independent commissions, three public consultations and now three white papers is not lost. The success of longevity and an ageing population means that soaring care costs are inevitable and a no-cost option does not exist. The need to find a sustainable way of paying for care remains as urgent as ever.”